Ted Robbins 'recovering well' after collapse

ITV have launched a campaign for CPR to be taught in schools, backed by a man who knows more than most about how it can save lives.

Ted Robbins, the Lancashire actor and comedian, says he's lucky to have survived after collapsing on stage in front of 15,000 people, following a cardiac arrest.

Recovering at home he's been talking to Granada Reports about that night, and its lessons.

In an exclusive interview with Granada reports Ted Robbins told us how he felt something wasn't quite right before he got up on stage the night he collapsed.

Ted Robbins is now supporting a campaign by ITV to help pupils learn about CPR.

#Heels4Hearts is a campaign to help give secondary school pupils in the UK the opportunity to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We’re appealing to the public to donate unwanted, wearable shoes to British Heart Foundation (BHF) shops during the campaign (23rd to 28th March) which will then go towards funding CPR training kits in secondary schools and sixth form colleges across the UK.

Heels 4 Hearts, supported by the BHF, aims to help provide secondary school and sixth form colleges in the UK with CPR training kits so that young people can learn life-saving skills.

Find your nearest store where you can donate your shoes here

Ted Robbins' sister says he's recovered so well he's going back to work this weekend. The 59 year old comedian collapsed with a cardiac arrest in front of thousands watching Peter Kaye's Phoenix Nights at the Manchester Arena in January.

Ted Robbins had two operations in hospital after he was taken there straight from the stage on January 31st. Peter Kay joked to Granada Reports entertainment correspondent that he was 'out of his head on morphine' when he visited Robbins.

Comedian Ted Robbins has left Wythenshawe Hospital with his family at his side.

Ted collapsed three weeks ago as he performed in the opening night of Phoenix Nights at Manchester Arena.

The star, who plays Den Perry in the Peter Kay comedy, has undergone two minor operations.

He was released from hospital 10-days-ago and is now recovering at home.

Comedian Ted Robbins made a surprise appearance during a rescheduled performance of Phoenix Nights Live. To the fans delight he appeared via a video link from his hospital bed two weeks after collapsing on stage.

Ever the joker the 59-year-old then pretended to rely on breathing apparatus in his hospital bed to the amusement of the audience.

The cast of the show joined the stage as Ted’s message was played to the audience.

The matinée show over the weekend was for people who had missed out on the second half of the comedy show at Manchester Arena after the comic was taken to hospital with heart trouble at the end of the first half.

The final show will take place tonight.

Phoenix Nights Live, which runs until Monday in Manchester has already raised millions of pounds for Comic Relief.

But the opening night was marred by the collapse on stage of the comedian Ted Robbins. Thankfully Ted is now recovering, our reporter Paul Crone went behind the scenes at the Manchester Arena and started by asking Peter Kay what he remembered of that dramatic first show:

Peter Kay has been talking to Granada reports about how the cast and crew of Phoenix Nights have dealt in the absence of Ted Robbins.

Reassuringly Peter Kay said that Ted was the same as ever, making jokes and 'off his face on morphine'.

The 59-year-old was taken to hospital after he collapsed on stage on the opening night of Phoenix Nights Live on Saturday. A medic came out of the 10,000 sell-out crowd to tend to him before he was taken to hospital.

His family confirmed the actor was left with twelve broken ribs and a broken sternum after CPR from medics to save his life.

Get more from that interview at 6pm on Granada Reports.

The family of Phoenix Nights star Ted Robbins have confirmed the actor was left with twelve broken ribs and a broken sternum after CPR from medics to save his life.

A performance of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights which was cancelled when comic actor Ted Robbins collapsed on stage has been re-scheduled.

Robbins, 59, slumped during the opening night of a revival of the show at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

The curtain was closed immediately as staff rushed to the stage with medical equipment before the event was cancelled.

All ticket holders are now invited to attend a matinee performance which will take place on Sunday, February 15th.

Robbins' wife Judy has said he is improving and will be "fit and healthy soon".